I set my own benchmark: Preity Zinta

Preity Zinta waves during the IPL match in Kolkata. UNI Photo

Actor Preity Zinta, who is in the thick of cricketing action thanks to her status as co-owner of a T20 team since 2008, says that she likes to take risks, and that not many female actors in Bollywood would dare to chuck a career in films for cricket. “I moved to cricket at a time when I was at the peak of my career, and I can guarantee you that no one else from Bollywood would have done that,” says Preity. In fact, she does not even want to be compared to any of her contemporaries such as Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor. “If some actress thinks she is sexy and she can dance, it’s her choice. I do what I want to do and I set my own benchmark. I will never compare myself with anyone,” she says.

Preity, 38, who did her last full-fledged Hindi film in 2008 (Heroes), has now turned producer with her film Ishkq in Paris, in which she also plays the lead. After rumours of the film not finding takers, the film is now due to release on May 24.

Did Preity walk out on Ness Wadia?In an interview to a film glossy, Preity Zinta has said, “I walked out of my relationship with Ness Wadia.” The actor co-owns the T-20 team, Kings X1 Punjab with Wadia. The two had a five-year relationship, and they broke up in 2011. Neither Preity nor Ness cited any specific reason for the breakup at that time, even as the entire world speculated about what could have gone wrong. Wadia did not respond to requests for comments.